Without Refuge

by Jane Mitchell

Thirteen-year-old Ghalib wishes his life could go back to normal. He wishes he could still hang out at the market with his friends, root for his favorite soccer team, even go to school. But civil war has destroyed his home.

As violence rages around them, his family makes the difficult choice to flee Syria. Together they start out on a dangerous journey toward Europe. Along the way, they encounter closely guarded borders, hardscrabble refugee camps, and an ocean crossing that they may not survive.

The gripping story of one boy's journey to find refuge pays tribute to struggles millions of Syrians face in today's real-world crisis.

Genres: Middle Grade, Realistic Fiction, War, Young Adult, Teen, Middle East

288 pages, ebook

Published April 1, 2018

About the author

Jane Mitchell was born in England, but she moved to Ireland later on, where she studied in Trinity College, Dublin, and taught elementary school children for a while before working in the community with at-risk teenagers who had dropped out of formal education.

She has also worked with young adults with disabilities.

Reviews

[Krista the Krazy Kataloguer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I knew nothing about the civil war in Syria until I read this book. Writing in the first person, from the point of view of 13-year-old Ghalib, made me feel that I was right there with him. To go from living a normal life to having nothing but the clothes on your back is shocking and unimaginable, yet this is what many refugees endure in their search for a safe place to live. This book made me see that civil war is just as bad as war between countries in forcing people to become refugees. I’m so glad that Mitchell wrote this book, and hope that it opens other readers’ eyes. Highly recommended!

[Patrick · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good story but I preferred Refugee by Alan Gratz. This one just didn’t have the emotional punch I was hoping for. Good description of what is was like, and is like to,to flee Syria.

[Lana 💐🌸🌷 · Rating 2 out of 5]

I had high hopes for this one and it let me down.

It started off fine; it was actually near perfect in like the first two pages. But then it got incredibly boring and a character was very cliche.

When I first saw Without Refuge, I respected it. A book about a Syrian refugee who is stuck in a devastating war and escapes?

Yes please, we need diverse books.

But then it went in a slow pace with a character that really irritated me.

For example-

Ghalib (the main character) burned both his feet when a bomb was sent out by terrorists. His father cared for him while he was recovering. His older sister, Bushra, apparently hates him for some reason.

“‘Bushra, we need fresh water,’Dapir says. ‘The container is empty.’
‘Why is it always ‘Bushra, we need this’? ‘Bushra, we need that’?’ my sister says. ‘Am I the only one in this house?’ She snatches up the container and gives me one of her looks.”

-Without Refuge, pg. #36

Now just add an ‘O-my god’ and this would be complete.

See, that really annoyed me. I feel like the author just wanted to add a sister-brother rivalry just so the book would appeal to all sorts of different people. If I wanted to read something like that, trust me, I would find a cliché book. Or maybe five.

Please, I don’t prefer books that feature characters like that.
***
Another aspect that made me give it a two-star rating is the pacing. It was annoying-ly slow and boring at some parts.

I am disappointed.

Love the idea, but the execution was lacking.
This book had a really bright future, but... well.

I received a finished copy of Without Refuge from DogoBooks, this has not influenced my opinion.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Without Refuge by Jane Mitchell provides a necessary glimpse into the life of a Syrian child and the Syrian Civil War.  Growing up in the United States, many of our students can't comprehend the terrors of life in current day Syria.  This story offers a first tentative step to understanding.


grade:  B
necessary story for students to understand and connect with current events
audience:  middle grade, middle school, junior high


Quotes/Author:
I sprint around the perimeter in the center of Kobani.

"Fat flies rise from stinking holes where dead bodies rot beneath smoking ruins."  3

"The faint vibration has already been drowned by the faraway whine....The hammering of our feet is the only sound other than the rising scream of the approaching airstrike."4

"The reek of burning fuel reaches u snow, pushing aside the normal stink that fills the broken streets, of rotting food and smashed sewers and bodies."  6

"ghosts of the dead haunt these deserted streets"16

About the Author:  I was born in London after my parents emigrated to England from Ireland. We lived there until I was five, when my family moved to Northern Ireland. We moved south to Dublin, Ireland, when I was seven years of age and I have lived in Ireland since.


Possible Cautions:
civil war, war, birth, under-formed leg and arm, gimpy,  children looting, stealing, dead bodies, airstrike, destroyed town, ISIS, sexism, ghosts, children beaten, bomb, gunshots, hurt by bomb, lack of food and clean water, children join soldiers, secrets, road block, escape home, public punishment, lashings, stoning, child sniper, refuge camp, death, smugglers, human trafficking, refused service due to citizenship, smoking, leave girl and disabled are not worth money, child refugees, homeless, asylum



Detailed Notes:
/////// SPOILERS /////// SPOILERS /////// SPOILERS ///////
Dedication:  Dedicated to every Syrian child whose life has been damaged.  Changed or blighted by the Syrian Civil War.
First Line:  I sprint around the perimeter in the center of Kobani.
Point of View:  First person, Ghalib
Setting - Character:
Ghalib, 13 years old,
Hamza, cousin,
Alan, younger brother, lopsided walk, bad hand curls into a small hook-shape,
Bushra, sister is 15,
Setting - Date:  current date
Setting - Location:
starts at Freedom Square in the center of Kobani
boys are running from shopkeepers after looting/stealing goods
"Fat flies rise from stinking holes where dead bodies rot beneath smoking ruins."  3
"The faint vibration has already been drowned by the faraway whine....The hammering of our feet is the only sound other than the rising scream of the approaching airstrike."4
"The reek of burning fuel reaches us now, pushing aside the normal stink that fills the broken streets, of rotting food and smashed sewers and bodies."  6
Mom and sister are looking for the brothers; mom angry that Ghalid took Alan with him; also angry that he is looting and stealing
when ISIS came, mukhtar used money to buy generators and diesel, many were angry, with time people understood the wisdom and were appreciative
males eat in the courtyard and females eat inside
Hamza says they need another pair of shoes because one was left behind during the airstrike and the buyer is expecting the shoes
"ghosts of the dead haunt these deserted streets"16
Hamza says they need to go back, now at night
run into a group of men in protection unit that tease them, boys are scared, could be beaten
chopper, barrel bomb, gunshots
boys are hurt; Ghalid's feet and lungs are burned; Hamza is unconscious
mom wants to leave but dad says he must stay because there is nobody to care for the Kurds that understands their traditions and their language; mom says that they must care for their own family and someone else can care for the other people
Hamza taken to the foreign aid clinic; they give more supplies for Ghalid and he is able to stay at home
it takes two hours to get water
protection unit wants Ghalid and Busshra to fight  and join them
  dad says they can't fight
Bushra dreamed of being an engineer and now her school and friends are gone, she is not afraid to fight
dad agrees that they will leave but it must be in secret
Ghalid has lots of nightmares
dad has saved money for education and surgery and medical but now will use that money to get them out of Syria
arguments about what are essentials to take vs what stays
eat breakfast, pack food, get gold from attic
nearest border is 20 minutes but they have to go to Aleppo instead because it is closed
road block by protection units, stops progress, pass through
women must be covered in all black because of ISIS, and walk behind husbands and son
damage everywhere as they are driving
road block by Syrian Armed Forces, men get out
driver takes them as far as he can and then family has to walk
city is full of children and women
women all covered head to toe in black and with a male guardian
public punishments, lashings, stoning, leave Aleppo
family stays with shopkeeper the first night
girl child sniper shooting at them
 dad forced to help sniper's brother who has a fever and dehydrated, overnight
sniper girl Safaa and brother Amin travel with the family
two kids and family walk to border but no passports so unknown when they can cross
border between Syria and Turkey
border has been closed at least a week
two kids gone when family wakes in morning
Ghalid thinks he sees the two kids and wants to give them their bag; guards think he is a suicide bomber
without intent, Ghalid runs to safety in Turkey but his family is still in Syria
six people got to Turkey with Ghalid, all going to Ankara, may take weeks
brothers, Musab and Ali, work with Syrian Kurds, member of the People's Protection units, they recruit Ghalid
Reyhanli Refugee Camp, Ghalid goes with the family to the refugee camp instead of with the brothers
stays at refugee hospital for a few days
Ghalid then taken to children's center
Safaa and Amin also at children's center
Someone on a bus brought Safaa and Amin across the border
gets first tennis shoes, too small but won't complain because he's afraid they'll be taken away
starts school
Ghalid is Kurdish and feels like an outsider in the camp
family arrives at refugee camp, Alan is dehydrated, grandma has died
family found smugglers to take them across
move with family to Kurdish section of camp, women are equal with men
not safe in camp after dark
family planning to leave camp to go to Europe, but what will happen with the two kids?  they will have to stay
Ghalid and Bushra feel surreal in the Turkish village near the camp, like a parallel universe
family couldn't find a doctor or get to a hospital when Alan was born and he wasn't breathing for some time
take bus  to Adana but are refused service in cafe because they are Syrian; family ashamed
bus to Izmir
older Syrian couple travels with them, they smoke a water pipe???224
older couple say they should leave Bushra (girl) and Alan (disabled) instead of paying for them to go to Greece
negotiate for ship rides to Greece, Turks will get them across
gets the call on the third night
3 1/2 hours in back of truck
walk through a shanty town on way to boats
only given four life jackets so Alan and Ghalid must share
boat in awful shape
people from the settlement/shanty town rush the boat to get on; two people lost overboard
see lights in distance
engine quits, boat sinking
another boat going by and stops to tow them
boat is flipped over
Alan separated, brought onshore
CPR, starts to breathe
what might happen next?
human traffickers prey on children refugees
many families end up in refugee camp or detention center
homeless
asylum process takes months or years
only a few number of refugees are granted asylum

[Palatine Library · Rating 4 out of 5]

Without Refuge is centered around a boy named Ghalib whose life was normal before war destroyed his home. The book takes you through he and his family’s dangerous journey to escape the Civil War happening in Syria. Ghalib must survive with his family through difficult times as they encounter a lack of resources, death, and uncertainty. But when he gets separated from his family, he learns that he must survive on his own.

I thought that this book was very informative and I liked how the author described everything so well, to a point where you could picture yourself in Ghalib’s shoes. It showed a different side to the story of the Syrian Civil War in a realistic way that helped me understand what was going on at each point in time. One of the things that I didn’t love was the main character. He was a little cliche at times and said stuff that didn’t fit with the situations he was in. Another thing was that the “separation” he had with his family, wasn’t as emotional as expected and I thought that author could have added some details to make it that way. Overall, it was an eye-opening read and I would rate it 3.5/5 stars.

-Emme L.

[Kristy · Rating 3 out of 5]

A tough but important read for anyone wanting to understand the experience of Syrian families forced to flee their war town country. If you saw the devastating picture of that Syrian child on the beach, this story felt like a direct explanation for how he potentially ended up there.


Horn Book review.

[Emilee · Rating 5 out of 5]

The last we see of Ghalib and his Kurdish-Syrian family’s flight from air raids, ISIS, and desperation is on the crowded shore of Greece. In fact, this is often how Westerners see the refugee story: a direct line from bombs to asylum in Europe or the United States. However, Mitchell weaves a tale strife with the humanities of pain, joy, family, dreams, youth, age, desperation, emotion, and culture. Ghalib, full of thirteen’s insecurities and curiosity, finds that leaving behind the war that severely burned his feet and lungs and cousin isn’t as simple as it seems. “Take only what you can carry” includes his disabled little brother. “Refugee” means his mother, sister, and grandmother must cover their faces and be treated as less than equal because of the terrorist controls. Ultimately, Ghalib’s escape from Syria is not the end of the danger which came to his family.

Deep, current issues stare readers in the face as they inevitably fly through these pages. Mitchell honors the poetic Persian heritage of many Middle Eastern peoples through the poetic, rhythmic constructs of
her passages. Assumptions, biases, and stereotypes rooted deep within peripheral cultures are rebuked by the unapologetic love and wisdom of Ghalib’s parents and the equality that exists between sexes in the Kurdish culture. Although packed with credible information and deeply painful scenes of loss, separation, and violence, Mitchell weaves beauty into every sentence and paragraph, highlighting the beauty of diverse cultures, the reluctance of their people to leave their homes, and their deep loyalty to they feel toward their nation even as they flee for their lives, from one dangerous place to another and another and another.

[LitPick Book Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thirteen-year-old Ghalib’s life has been turned upside down by the Syrian Civil War. His town is virtually destroyed, and he can't go to school or do the regular teenage-boy things he used to enjoy. One day, when Ghalib is out looting, a bomb explodes nearby and almost kills his cousin Hazma. When the leader of the Protection Units tries to recruit Ghalib and his sister, Bushra, to be soldiers, his parents decide that they need to flee Syria immediately. Although Ghalib’s feet are still burned from the explosion, the family starts walking toward the Turkish border. As they try to reach safety in Greece, Ghalib and his family face a sniper, a closed border, an unsanitary and crowded refugee camp, and a dangerous sea voyage. Will they all survive the journey?


Opinion:
Without Refuge by Jane Mitchell is an eye-opening look into the Syrian Civil War and refugee crisis, told from the unique perspective of a teenage boy. It is a very fast paced and exciting book. From the first page, I was drawn into Ghalib’s story. The perilous journey of Ghalib and his family had many dramatic twists that kept me turning pages. There were a lot of characters to keep track of, but the main characters were well-developed and realistic. The book teaches a very important lesson; NEVER give up on your family, no matter what happens. Because the book describes what life is like during a war, there are some events and scenes that may be disturbing to children under the age of 9. Therefore, I recommend this book to 9-14 year olds looking for an exciting book about current events.

Reviewed by a LitPick student book reviewer, Age 9

[Cindy Mitchell *Kiss the Book* · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mitchell, Jane Without Refuge 269 pages. Carolrhoda Books (Lerner), 2018. $16.99. Language: G Mature Content: PG Violence: PG

Ghalib is a 13-year-old boy living in war torn Syria. After he and his friend are injured when a barrel bomb explodes, his father decides that it is time to leave. Escaping will not be easy. First they must walk through the devastated city of Aleppo, barely surviving a child sniper, and then they become backlogged at the Turkish border. At one point Ghalib gets separated from his family, but they find each other again at a refugee camp. His father knows they must push on and cross the perilous Mediterranean Sea into Greece before their journey is over.

This book is a must addition to every school library’s historical fiction collection, because it depicts the devastation of a war that is happening right now. Kids will be amazed when they read this, especially when they realize it’s happening in real life as they read the book. The author did a great job of listing the names of children who have died or gone missing in the war. Of particular note is the mentioning of the drowned toddler on the beach in Greece who died trying to cross the sea. The photo went viral and kids who read the book will be especially heartbroken if they look at the photo online.

EL, MS – ESSENTIAL. Reviewer: Valerie McEnroe, Media Specialist
https://kissthebook.blogspot.com/2018...

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an engaging read. I finished it with tears in my eyes and a greater understanding of what refugees face when they are forced to leave their homes, fleeing into an uncertain future.

This story follows the story of a Kurdish refugee family fleeing Syria, working to make their way through Turkey to Greece. This family experiences multiple hardships including their city being bombed, children being hurt as a result of bombs, the death of a loved one on the journey to Turkey, being shot at, dehydration and hunger, separation from parents, life in a refugee camp, discrimination when just trying to buy food, a perilous journey by foot, bus, truck, boat. . . . In addition to hardships, they also experience kindness from strangers, and sho kindness towards others. This is a story of hopelessness and hope, one that encourages readers to make a difference.

***

I had to suspend belief several times due to the author's writing style. There were times when some very English phrases were used that I thought would not possibly be culturally the same (as in, translated from Arabic or other Middle East languages mentioned in the text) for Syrian/Kurdish children to use. Some of the thinking and phraseology of these youth just felt very different from what I expected coming from this culture. I could be totally wrong in my thinking though.

[Alexina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thirteen year old Ghalib and his family are living in war-ravaged Syria. His family decides it's time to leave after Ghalib and his cousin are severely injured in a bombing near their home.

The family begins their harrowing journey to Greece to try to beat the odds of safely arriving on Greek shores. They make it to a refugee camp right at the Turkish-Syrian border when, by happenstance, Ghalib is separated from his family and he ends up on the Turkish side of the border while his family remains on the other.
If you read the synopsis of this book, you probably thought it'd be a story of a boy getting separated from his family and his attempt to be reunited. Because, that's what it sounded like. But that's a poorly written summary as the separation doesn't last for long and seems very unemotional.

I'd say this is an okay story to give someone a tiny glimpse into the plight of Syrian refugees but it barely scapres the tip of the iceberg. Keep in mind, my library has it listed as a juvenile fiction book, which means that it'd appeal to upper elementary kids but doesn't pack nearly as much emotional punch as it would if it were a teen or adult read.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m in the middle of working with my students to understand the movement of people throughout history. What causes a mass movement? What challenges arise at the onset? During the journey? At their arrival? This was a powerful description of the social, economic, political perils that face the current Syrian refugee movement. From reading this book, j learned quite a bit about the economics and politics of being a refugee in this region at this time. It helped enrich my understanding of the jigsaw pieces that seem to be always shifting as we follow the main character and his family. The only part that I felt was missing was their story before they decided to leave. Who were they? What was their life life? Why had they stayed so long? What were they giving up by leaving? My students say they often feel more connected to the book when they have gotten a chance to know them before the conflict/action takes place. That was missing somewhat in this book. It starts smack dab in the middle of the chaos and never gives up. Powerful, absolutely. Heartbreaking, yes. I just wished I had gotten to know this family before their lives were torn apart.

[Merrilyn Tucker · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story tugs at your heartstrings from start to finish. Ghalib and his family live in war-torn Syria. Bombs fall all around them, restricting their lives and forcing them to live in fear day and night. When Baba, Ghalib's father, decides the family is going to leave Syria, they start on a trek that is just as fearful as their daily life in Syria. They travel on foot to Turkey, wind up in a refugee camp, and then go on a boat to Greece. The afterword by the author explains what could possibly happen to the family after the landing. There are so many details that I haven't mentioned, a few of which are: the people they meet along the way, the invitations to Ghalib to be a fighter himself, the family's separation at the border, and the unbelievable ignorant attitudes of the residents of the countries they pass through. This book would be a good choice for a read aloud in a class interested in the plight of Syrians. Best for grades 6+.

[Corey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book Talk:
Ghalib and his family live in war-torn Syria. He is used to the destruction in his city and the danger that lurks around every corner at night. Then he and his cousin are badly injured in a bombing as they scavenge for items to sell. Ghalib's family decides enough is enough, and make the decision to flee Syria for safer conditions. They make the dangerous journey to the Turkish border where they encounter terrible living conditions and find out that no one is allowed to cross into freedom in Turkey. What will they do? Will the family make it to freedom and safety?

My Thoughts:
This is a good read that will provide lots of insight into life in Syria and the experiences of refugee families. I plan on using this as part of a refugee book talk unit. I did not find this one as powerful as Gatz's "Refugee", but it is still a strong story that will resonate with students looking for realistic war fiction.

My Recommendation:
4/5 stars
Grades 6+ (violence)

[Tompkins County Public Library Youth Services]

This very timely chapter book highlights how similar & yet how different children’s lives are in war-torn places like Syria compared to our children’s lives here in the United States.  Ghalib loves hanging out with his cousins and his friends, adventuring through their city.  He finds comfort in his family, even if he is annoyed by his older sister Bushra.  But this story also illustrates how different Ghalib’s life is from ours.  He runs through the bombed out buildings in his city, he is banned from going into areas because they are unsafe, and he must flee everything he knows with his family to find a safer home. When he is separated from his whole family, he must find the bravery to continue his journey in hopes of finding safety and, most importantly, his family.  A wonderful book that is both a mirror reflecting the similarities of the characters’ lives with our own, and a window into an unfamiliar world that we so often hear about on the news.

[Nicole Gubler · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very powerful book about the experience of a family from Syria seeking refuge from the war. The story follows the family starting from the reason they decide to try to escape Syria through crossing borders, living in a refugee camp, loosing everything they have crossing Turkey and attempting to reach Europe and the hopes of freedom. There is no conclusion for the family which I think is a suitable ending for the book since I’ve seen so many refugees waiting in limbo to determine what is next for them. I love how the author has given each character in the story a name in recognition of a real life person who died in their attempts to seek freedom from the war. This is real stuff happening now. So incredibly sad what these people suffer through just to try to live.

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mitchell does a tremendous job of bringing Ghalib’s experiences to life. The characters and their relationships are nuanced to reveal the complex feelings around leaving home and traveling to places where refugees are unwanted. The importance of family only increases while the importance of other things falls away.

I was most struck by the author’s note that every name in the book is that of an actual child killed in the conflict in Syria. The irony is particularly sharp that while real children are living the nightmare reality into which this book offers a glimpse, many here will insist that our own children must not even read about it for fear of it being too upsetting.

This would pair well with Escape from Aleppo by N. H. Senzai. In fact, I know just whom to share it with next.

[Mary Lee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quite a text set of Syrian refugee stories building up: this book, Escape from Aleppo, Refugee, Playing Atari with Saddam Hussein...

This one isn't as emotionally gripping as Refugee by Gratz, but shows with horrifying detail what refugee camps are like.

[Marg Corjay · Rating 4 out of 5]

Shows the human conflict in Syria and Turkey from a 13 year old's viewpoint as his family flees the war. Felt that the narrator was true to the narrator age and experiences in life.

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Its important to read these kinds of books, and that they exists for upper elementary/middle school kids to help them know what is going on in the world.

[Abby Obert · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 2/3 stars

[Tri-reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

I grabbed this book off the shelf on the children’s section of the library on a whim. Well written, very moving. My daughter and I both loved the book.

[Brevin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Emotional and powerful. Read it in one night and stayed up till 10 p.m reading it.

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well written first person narrative about the Syrian refugee crisis. Not too heavy but it doesn’t ignore most problems either.

[Jill CD · Rating 4 out of 5]

This gives insight into the lives of the Syrian refugees. A touchingly sad book of hope and resilience, this makes for a good discussion book with the right students. Grades 6 and up.

[Catherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story about Syrian refugees. My only concern was that this novel wasn't written by a Syrian refugee. However, Mitchell researched and did a great job writing this book.

[Valerie McEnroe · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story is heartbreaking. It details the treacherous journey that Syrian families must make to try and reach safety in Europe. First they must cross the Syrian border into Turkey, which is not easy. Then they must travel across the Mediterranean Sea in worn-out, over-packed boats to reach Greece. Smugglers charge exorbitant prices and families must have a minimum amount of life savings to even attempt the journey. Many families who set out never make it, and those who do face possible years in detention centers before they gain asylum.

This is the story of Ghalib and his family. When his father makes the decision to leave their bombed-out Syrian village, Ghalib, his sister Bushra and younger brother, Alan set out for Europe. Along the way they must walk long distances, worry about food and water, avoid a child sniper, wait in an overcrowded encampment at the Syrian border, get separated, live in a refugee camp, and finally barely survive the trip in a leaky boat across the Mediterranean Sea.

This is a fascinating read for anyone who wants to know more about the crisis that is happening RIGHT NOW. Since the book is written for children, the author provides a happy ending. Ghalib and his family make it. But in order to keep it real, the author provides a list at the end of the book of the names and brief story of real children who have died or disappeared in the struggle for freedom. One of those children is the toddler who drowned which resulted in at a photo that went viral around the world.

I can't recommend this book highly enough. With a little coaxing, librarians will be able to get kids to read this.

[Sharon Drummond · Rating 4 out of 5]

Readers will get wrapped up in Ghalib’s story. The language in this book is straightforward enough for a middle-grade audience, but the ideas will allow for rich discussion.

[Rambling Reader · Rating 4 out of 5]

Without Refuge tells a story that many American children and teens may be unfamiliar with. It tells the story of Ghalib, a young Syrian boy whose life is much, much different than many Americans' experiences.

Having grown up in Syria, Ghalib is no stranger to living each day with a sense of danger. In recent years, as war and violence have left an indelible mark on his country, he's learning fast that life is not something to be taken for granted. After he and his cousin are injured by a bomb near the local souq (marketplace), it finally becomes evident to Ghalib's family that they can stay in Syria no longer.

Ghalib, his younger brother (Alan), older sister (Bushra), mother (Dayah), father (Baba), and grandmother (Dapir) set out on a life-threatening journey to find somewhere safe outside of Syria. They must sneak away in order to avoid punishment by patrol units that seek to recruit Ghalib and Bushra for their citizen protection units. Not only must they leave to protect their children from guns and airstrikes, they must leave to save them from being conscripted into a war they had no part in starting.

Ghalib is a character that younger readers can connect to. Although he's living in a country and situation that they're likely to never experience, he can resonate with them. Ghalib is a caring older brother, frequently sees his older sister as grumpy and annoying, and wonders why items like his computer games and soccer books don't fall into the "bare essentials" pile when packing for their trip. He's being forced to survive an extraordinary situation, but he's still just an ordinary kid. Having that element of connection will make it easier for younger readers to make sense of the story, giving them someone familiar to cling to in the novel's unfamiliar world.

Our protagonist is one of the lucky ones. Although he's briefly separated from his family, he makes most of the journey surrounded by his loved ones as a constant source of encouragement and safety. Many children, in the real world, are not so lucky. Mitchell makes sure to show both sides of the coin by introducing characters who don't have that safety net and support system, to show that not all journeys are as "easy" as Ghalib's.

I think Without Refuge is an important book to start making its way into classrooms. It can fit into current events, history, or language arts classes with ease. In a society where children are being increasingly exposed to world news and daily political fiasco, it's important to broaden children's horizons in a safe space where they can learn about important events outside of their own zip-code. It deals with some tough issues- war, refugee crisis, racism/bigotry, and more.

While older teens (high schoolers) could probably tackle these themes on their own, I think it would be great to have middle school readers go through Without Refuge as a class or book club group, so they get the benefit of some pre-teaching and guidance throughout the novel.

The book comes with a glossary and notes from the author about the reality of the Syrian refugee crisis and real victims, and I think those are very helpful tools to remind students that just because the story takes place on the pages of the book does not mean it isn't rooted in the real experiences of others.

Overall, I hope that Without Refuge finds its way into the hands of many young readers and many classrooms. It's a story that needs to be told and shared.

[Abby · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think I've found my new read aloud for next month. As we move towards our last social studies unit (1975-present), I was looking for a current events tie-in. This is perfect. My 5th graders won't be able contain the,selves once we've read the first chapter.